Familial surroundings: T-G Open makes competition a family affair

Published: July 2, 2012 4:01AM

By BECKY TENER

T-G Sports Writer

For 13-year-old Emma Deimling, the heat of competition is what lures her to play tennis. While the teen was looking for that at the Ashland Times-Gazette Open, what brought her to the courts of Brookside Park and Ashland University had more to do with family ties.

"My mom wanted me to play in it," Emma said, whose mother, Joya Matheus, played on Ashland High School's first girls tennis team in 1974. "She wanted me to play in it like she did and get a trophy like she did when she was little."

Emma would do just that before the tournament concluded, cruising to individual titles in the 16-and-under and 18-and-under girls divisions.

But Emma, who hails from Medina, also took her family's love for the game of tennis to the hardtop, playing with her dad Keith Deimling in the mixed doubles category of the Open.

"We've never played mixed doubles together in a tournament," Deimling said. "... We didn't know what to expect but I think I was much more nervous than my daughter was."

Playing alongside his daughter was something Deimling said he was thrilled to do, adding that Emma's desire to compete in the sport just recently took off.

Though Emma, who is now a very decorated player even at her young age, has competed across the state and country, she didn't fall in love with tennis until November 2010 when she competed in her first tournament.

"She lost badly in that tournament," Deimling said. "After, we were in the car thinking to ourselves that didn't go well and ... Emma said 'Mom, Dad, when is the next tournament? I really loved it out there.' That was the beginning of her tennis."

Emma also played in two junior level events in singles, leaving the doubles competition for her family duo.

"We made a good team today," said Deimling of their 8-1 win in the first match. "I couldn't be any happier. ... As a father it is a wonderful way to support her playing."

Also making the T-G Open a family affair were brothers Tyler and Riley Beaton and Joe and Jeremy Horvath, who formed brotherly doubles teams specifically for the competition.

"Normally we would be doubles partners," Tyler said of Joe, who competes with him at Baldwin-Wallace College. "... But we thought why don't we play with our little brothers and we'll set it up so we play each other first round."

The B-W duo got their wish and with Riley, 16, and Jeremy, 15, in tow, they headed to Brookside for a weekend of competition.

"We love Ashland," Joe said. "It's so cute and we like playing out here."

The two older brothers, both 22, said they wanted to use the experience of doubles play to help their little brothers improve in tennis.

"I just really wanted to give him some more experience," said Joe, who hails from North Royalton. "I think him playing doubles with me will broaden his horizons, so that was kinda the idea."

"I'm feeling good about it," said Jeremy, who was competing in his first tournament. "We do a lot together and we're always helping each other out so we'll have some chemistry."

Tyler even drove halfway to his hometown of Bemus Point, N.Y. to get his brother so he could play in the tourney.

"He's good and he can lead our team," Riley said of his brother. "I'm not up to his level I don't think. ... But it will be fine."

Final Results

The three-day tournament wrapped up Sunday, with the final of 12 division champions being crowned. Winners in each division follow.